Special Points of interest:
“After studying the mucus secreted by slugs when they are startled, scientists have developed new super- glue that can be an alterna- tive to surgical stitches and staples.”
REGENERATING BODY PARTS
Regenerative medicine is a branch of science that works to find ways to regrow or replace damaged tissue and organs. In 2017 Ohio State researchers devel- oped a new technology called tissue nanotransfection (TNT Technology). This technology is embedded in a tiny chip and can reprogram skin cells to repair organs and blood vessels. The noninvasive procedure involves placing a post- age stamp–size chip on the skin and sending a small electric current through it. The process delivers DNA vectors into the body in less than a second. So far the focuses have been on animals, but in 2018 clinical trials in humans are set to begin.
A SMART–PHONE HEART MONITOR
Pending FDA clearance, consumers will be able to get ECGs by simply placing a finder on the band of an Apple Watch. AliveCor, which produces the monitors, is also collaborating with Mayo Clinic to develop an artificial intelligence system that can predict from an ECG if a patient has too much or too little potassium in the blood and is at risk of sudden death.
LIQUID BIOPSIES
Biopsies are used to detect changes in people with metastatic cancer. Liquid biopsies could eventually help diagnose new cancers early, when they are most treatable. This latest development in tests is so comprehensive that doctors don’t even need to know what genetic mutation they are looking for.
A FAST–ACTING DEPRESSION DRUG
Ketamine, an IV anesthesia drug, has been discovered to lift treatment–resistant depression in a matter of hours. It is the first drug in 50 years to affect various neurological pathways to alleviate depression. However the effects last only 7 to 10 days and it is unclear whether repeated transfusions will be safe. Keta- mine can also elevate blood pressure and sometimes trigger hallucinations. Researchers are studying similar drugs that may not have such dire side ef- fects.
EARLIER PANCREATIC CANCER DETECTION
Usually by the time pancreatic cancer is detected the tumors have spread and the diagnosis is lethal. By reverse engineering late–stage cancer cells to their stem–cell state, researchers have identified two key proteins that appear in the blood of patients when they develop the disease. The test could be ready for use within a few years for people at high risk for contracting the disease.
SURGICAL SUPERGLUE
After studying the mucus secreted by slugs when they are startled, scientists have developed new superglue that can be an alternative to surgical stitches and staples. The hydrogel is made of biomaterials that replicate the mucus and is strong, non–toxic, flexible and able to stick to wet surfaces – even those cov- ered in blood. Now they are working on make it biodegradable so that it will dissolve after use.
“Researchers have developed transpar- ent sensors that can turn (contact) lenses into sophisti- cated health moni- tors.”
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION FOR STROKES
Cleveland Clinic researchers conducted the first–ever deep brain stimulation therapy in a stroke patient this year. The patient regained more of her motor function than expected. The therapy is ongoing since the patient continues to improve. There are strong indications that the therapy will be useful in helping people recover physical function after a stroke leaves them paralyzed or faced with other disabilities. Deep brain stimulation has been used with Parkinson’s patients and fosters new neural connections and can improve plasticity in the brains of stroke patients… It may also boost the effects of standard physical therapy. There are plans to try it in more stroke victims this year.
3D PRINTED SPINAL IMPLANTS
Several of these 3–D implants are made from titanium powder and designed with rough surfaces and porous structures, which allows them to integrate more quickly and completely into the body. They are designed to allow bone to grow onto and through the implant. There have been two 3–D implants cleared by FDA this year. One can stabilize the spine where portions of the vertebrae were removed. The other can be implanted in patients with disorders of their sacroiliac joint, which is the cause of almost one–quarter of all chronic back pain.
CONTACT LENSES FOR MORE THAN VISION
Researchers have developed transparent sensors that can turn lenses into so- phisticated health monitors. They believe that they can integrate more than 100 sensors into the lenses. Blood glucose monitoring though contacts could help people with diabetes who must repeatedly stick their fingers to track blood sugar. The contacts might be able to detect cancer early, tack stress hor- mones, or even improve athletic performance. These contacts could be availa- ble for purchase in about 5 years.
NO DRILL TOOTH REPAIR
London researchers found that small amounts of tideglusib, an Alzheimer’s drug, promotes the growth of dentin, the material under enamel that can repair teeth, and jump–start tooth regeneration. Their works shows that teeth can re- pair themselves naturally, using stem cells to stimulate the growth of dental tissue. Dental fillings could become obsolete.
NEW DRUG FOR OVARIAN AND BREAST CANCERS
A new type of drug, called a PARP inhibitor, can sometimes delay progression of ovarian cancer for up to 2 years and may also be effective against breast cancer. Two of these drugs are now on the market. It was initially believed that the medications would work only in women who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2gene mutations. Now it looks like this drug can be used in all relevant ovarian cancer patients.
PERSONAL ROBOTS
This year personal health care robots moved into patients’ homes to help peo- ple manage chronic illnesses like RA, late stage kidney disease and CHF. The electronics in these robots allow it to monitor medication use, motivate patients to follow doctors’ order and connect people with doctors and/or pharmacists as needed.
“Studies suggest thatvirtual reality could reduce pain as well aspotent drugs do.”
ANTI–INFLAMMATORY CARDIAC CARE
Researchers showed a clear link between heart disease and inflammation. A study which followed 10,000 heart attack survivors showed that anti–inflammatory drug injections reduce the chances of getting a second heart at- tack or stroke by 15%. Cardiologists may soon be able to tailor heart disease treatments for different groups of patients, distinguishing those at risk due to high cholesterol from those at risk due to inflammation.
DNA EDITS TO ELIMINATE DISEASE
Scientist successfully edited DNA in human embryos for the first time this year, removing a genetic mutation that causes sudden death. This raises the possi- bility that families could prevent their children from developing diseases like Huntington’s, Tay–Sachs, and cystic fibrosis. However, because of a federal ban on clinical trials that involve genetically modified embryos, they won’t be able to implant fertilized eggs into women in the US.
VIRTUAL REALITY THAT GIVES REAL LIFE PAIN RELIEF
Studies suggest that virtual reality therapy could reduce pain as well as potent drugs do. Research from California stated that patients that watched uplifting videos through virtual reality goggles had pain that dropped by 24%. Those with the most severe pain got the most relief. This therapy seems to work as well as or better than opioids. A new type of medical professional will emerge – a virtual therapist, who will assess patients and prescribe specific virtual real- ity experiences from sitting on a beach to flying in the skies.
PIG ORGAN TRANSPLANTS FOR PEOPLE
Scientists have created designer (genetically modified) piglets so that their or- gans could be transplanted more safely to humans. They have used a new gene editing tool to eliminate more than 2 dozen copies of pig genes that could produce dangerous viruses in humans. The hope is that “xenotransplantation” – the process of transferring organs from one species to another, could finally become a reality.
GROUNDBREAKING GENE THERAPY
A new treatment called CAR T–cell therapy customizers a drug for each pa- tient, collecting each patient’s immune cells and then genetically modifying them to kill cancer cells. It is hopefully a long–lasting or even permanent living treatment with the patient.
AN ANTI–AGING DRUG
Researchers identified a compound called NAD that cells use to repair dam- aged DNA. Normally NAD is a substance that declines as a person ages. It has not yet been determined if the compound created, NMN, is safe for people. Compound might be available in 5 years.
VOICE ANALYSIS TO DETECT DISEASE
Several companies are working on how subtle voice characteristics can detect physical and mental illnesses. A Mayo Clinic study found more than a dozen voice features associated with heart disease – including one associated with a 19–fold higher likelihood of heart ailments. Scientists are now working on one to detect depression. Subtle changes in how we sound can be measured to reflect the underlying health of the nervous, muscle, and respiratory systems. Voice analysis along with the use of digital assistants could be warned that their voice shows early signs of depression.
A PLANT– INSPIRED HEART SAVER
When a heart attack occurs, the main issue is to find a way to keep oxygen supplied to the heart. Researches think they have a new way to supply oxygen to damaged tissues by replicating photosynthesis, a process by with plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. In animals those that underwent the therapy had 25% higher oxygen levels.
REFERENCE: PREVENTION.COM DECEMBER 2017